U.S. Troops In Iraq Have Time On Hands

Army Spc. Nicholas Pieniazek of Delanson, N.Y., tries to block a shot by an Iraqi soldier during a recent soccer game at a post southeast of Baghdad. Improved security has created free time for U.S. troops. By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell via Reuters

From USA Today:

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq — Pfc. Adrian Vesik heard that war could be hell.

He was happy to discover when he arrived in Iraq earlier this year that his war experience also would include salsa dancing, yoga and martial-arts classes.

"When I signed up for the Army, I thought I was going to be a hero — go out and do some fighting," says Vesik, 19, during a break at a Filipino-Okinawan jujitsu class. "I haven't come close to doing anything that I was trained to do. I work, maybe, four to five hours a day. I have time to try all these new things. It's not so bad."

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My Comment: What a difference a few years make. Many would never have thought that this was possible 3 years ago.